MGA issues warning to unauthorised operators

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has issued a warning to operators and providers of gaming services and gaming supplies, including those offered by remote means, that only licensed operators will be allowed in the country. MGA reiterated that according to article 13 of the Gaming Act, the companies can function in and from Malta, only if they have obtained relevant authorisation issued by the authority.

 “Operating in and from Malta includes, amongst other things, offering games to persons in Malta, having technical equipment located in Malta, having the natural person offering the gaming services located in Malta, and having the legal person offering the gaming services and critical gaming supplies registered and, or established in Malta,” said MGA in a release published on its website.

Any person found to be in breach of the above may be subject to administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution, as envisaged in the same law, and penalties include fines up to €500k for first-time offenders and up to €1 million for recidivists, as well as imprisonment.